The NAACP tapped lawyer Cornell William Brooks on Saturday to be the organization's next CEO and national president.
Brooks, who is also an ordained minister replaces Benjamin Jealous, who stepped down half a year ago. He isn't a well-known figure, but he is the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice's executive director, reports The Washington Post.
"I don't take the responsibility lightly. I am deeply humbled and honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead this powerful historic organization," the 53-year-old Turner Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church associate minister said. "In our fight to ensure voting rights, economic equality, health equity and ending racial discrimination for all people, there is indeed much work to be done."
NAACP chair Roslyn Brock told The Associated Press that Brooks was officially selected Friday night. In July, he will go before members at the organization's national convention. Brock noted that he stood out among the more than 450 applicants and had to go through over 30 interviews with The Hollins Group Inc before his selection.
In addition to being a minister and executive director, Brooks has spent time with the Federal Communication Commission and the Justice Department.